Holiday Guide · California
California Christmas Events 2026: Lights, Parades and Markets
Christmas in California runs from lit boats on San Diego Bay and Newport Harbor to light trails in San Francisco and Los Angeles, downtown parades in the Central Valley and a service under a giant sequoia. This guide lists 20 Christmas events for the 2026 season, grouped by region and sorted by date. Each one links to its USA Fest Bot listing and its official site.
Each date below matches its USA Fest Bot listing and was last checked on the official source between September 24 and October 3, 2026. Check the organizer’s page for hours before you go.
The six biggest and longest-running
- Hollywood Christmas Parade, Los Angeles: November 29, 2026. Floats, bands and stars on a route through Hollywood, held since 1928.
- Christmas in the Park, San Jose: November 27, 2026 - January 1, 2027. A downtown display open every day through New Year’s Day.
- Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden, San Francisco: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027. About 1 million lights on a mile-long garden trail.
- Balboa Park December Nights, San Diego: December 4–5, 2026. Two nights that draw more than 350,000 people.
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Newport Beach: December 16–20, 2026. Five nights on the harbor, with drone shows.
- Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree, Grant Grove: December 13, 2026. A sequoia named the Nation’s Christmas Tree in 1926.
San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey
Lightscape opens November 20 and Christmas in the Park the day after Thanksgiving. Early December adds Let’s Glow SF downtown and the Sunset Holiday Mercantile, then lit adobes in Monterey.
Renegade Craft San Francisco Winter
More than 250 makers in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center, mostly indoors.
Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden
A mile-long after-dark trail of about 1 million lights through San Francisco Botanical Garden.
Christmas in the Park
Downtown San Jose’s display since 1980, with more than 40 animated exhibits and a 50-foot tree you can step inside. It is open daily from noon to 10 p.m.
Let's Glow SF
Ten nights of animated projections on downtown San Francisco landmarks. This is its sixth year.
Sunset Holiday Mercantile
More than 100 local makers and food artisans in the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Christmas in the Adobes
A walking tour of more than a dozen historic adobes lit with luminarias. It goes ahead rain or shine.
Sacramento, Fresno and the Central Valley
Fresno has a clay and glass sale in November and a downtown parade in December, the Sacramento area has two big craft markets, and the season ends in the Sierra at the Nation’s Christmas Tree.
Clay & Glass Festival (San Joaquin Clay & Glass Association)
More than 50 Central Valley potters and glass artists selling handmade work, ornaments included. It runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Crocker Holiday Artisan Market
More than 100 juried artists at the Scottish Rite Center over Thanksgiving weekend. Friday opens at noon; Saturday and Sunday start at 10 a.m.
Holiday Show of Hands Craft Fair
More than 150 crafters and a silent auction, raising money for St. John the Evangelist School. Friday evening is a ticketed preview night.
Downtown Fresno Christmas Parade
A parade of nearly a century on Fulton Street, now with an evening start. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.
Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree
A service at the base of the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park, held since 1925.
Los Angeles and Orange County
Two long light walks, L.A. Zoo Lights and Enchanted Forest of Light, open in late November, and Hollywood’s parade fills Thanksgiving weekend. Boats close the season, at Marina del Rey on December 12 and Newport Beach in the week before Christmas.
L.A. Zoo Lights
Light sculptures of plants and pollinators, plus a skating rink and carousel rides. It runs on select evenings, and tickets start at $19.
Enchanted Forest of Light (Descanso Gardens)
A mile-long lit walk at Descanso Gardens, with a new laser show on the Main Lawn. This is its 10th season, and a holiday market runs December 2–6.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
Floats, balloons, bands and stars, a parade held since 1928.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Lit boats circle the main channel after a light show at Burton Chace Park, a tradition since 1963. This year is the 64th parade.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Five nights of lit yachts, boats and kayaks around Newport Harbor, with drone shows. Each night starts at about 6:30 p.m., with fireworks on opening night.
San Diego
Markets open Thanksgiving weekend, December Nights fills Balboa Park on December 4–5, and boats light up the bay on two Sundays.
San Diego Made Holiday Market
More than 130 local makers outdoors on Preble Field at Liberty Station. Saturday runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Balboa Park December Nights
The City of San Diego’s biggest holiday festival, known for lights, music and food. Friday runs 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday noon to 10 p.m.
Makers Arcade Holiday Fair
More than 140 handmade vendors on Broadway Pier, with a fresh wreath station. Both days run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
About 80 decorated boats on two Sunday evenings, the 56th year of the parade. This year’s theme is Liberty Lights the Bay.
Before you go
Plan around the busy dates
Thanksgiving weekend opens a lot at once: Christmas in the Park, Crocker’s market, San Diego Made and the Hollywood parade. December 4–6 is the busiest stretch, with Let’s Glow SF, December Nights, the Sunset Holiday Mercantile and the Show of Hands fair in Carmichael. December 12–13 brings boats to Marina del Rey and San Diego Bay, Fresno’s parade and the Makers Arcade fair.
Not every night
Some events skip days inside their date range. L.A. Zoo Lights is closed November 26 and 30, December 1, 7, 14, 15, 16, 24, 25 and 31, and January 4–7. The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights runs on two Sundays, December 13 and 20. Christmas in the Park is open every day through January 1, Christmas Day included.
November events
Several of these open in November. For everything else that month, see our California events in November 2026 guide, plus our national lists of holiday parades, tree lightings and holiday craft fairs.
For more, browse holiday lights, Christmas events, Christmas markets, craft fairs and holiday parades across the country.
Quick answers
When is the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2026?
Sunday, November 29, 2026, in Hollywood.
When is Christmas in the Park in San Jose in 2026?
November 27, 2026, to January 1, 2027, at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, open every day.
When is the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade in 2026?
Five nights, Wednesday through Sunday, December 16–20, 2026, around Newport Harbor.
Looking for more? See all California events or what’s on in California this weekend.
USA Fest Bot is not affiliated with any event in this guide and does not sell tickets. Found a date that has changed? Send a correction.